Tag Archives: family

St Dunstan

St Dunstan’s College in Catford, London, is a school attended by various members of my family since the early 1900s. Recently my Granny told me that St Dunstan was the patron saint of silversmiths. I hadn’t known that!

St. Dunstan was born 909 and died 19 May 988 AD. There is a full story about him on Wikipedia, which tells us that Dunstan became patron saint of English goldsmiths and silversmiths because he worked as a silversmith making church plate while he was living as a monk at Glastonbury Abbey, where he took holy orders in 943 AD. He is also the patron saint of blacksmiths, locksmiths and musicians.

His Feast Day is 19 May, which is why, before the restoration, the yearly span of London Assay Office hallmarks ran from 19 May one year to 18 May the next, not the calendar year. This was changed at the restoration of Charles II in 1660 so that the hallmarking year began on the King’s birthday, 29 May.

There is a story that Dunstan nailed a horseshoe to the Devil’s hoof when he was asked to re-shoe the Devil’s horse. This caused the Devil great pain, and Dunstan only agreed to remove the shoe and release the Devil after he promised never to enter a place where a horseshoe is over the door. This is claimed as the origin of the lucky horseshoe.

Also, according to a late 11th-century legend, the Devil is said to have tempted Dunstan and to have been held by the face with Dunstan’s tongs; hence blacksmith’s tongs have become a symbol of St Dunstan.

Thanks to my little granny for bringing this interesting fact to my attention. I wonder what her dad (my great grandfather), who was a blacksmith, made of all that!

Peridot and Sterling Silver Family Intials Pendant

Peridot and Sterling Silver Family Initials Pendant

My good friend Narelle asked if I could create a pendant for her to give to a good friend of hers.

Peridot and Sterling Silver Family Initials Pendant

Narelle sent me some sketches of ideas she had, and we agreed on this design, which incorporates the first initial of the name of each of the members of the family.

Peridot and Sterling Silver Family Initials Pendant

I’m pleased with the way this one turned out, I think it’s effective – and I do love peridot! Thanks, Nez!

Family Crest Garnet and Sterling Silver Ring

Sterling Silver and Garnet Family Crest RingI created this ring for Scott to give to his wife for their wedding anniversary. He wanted to show her how much a part of his family she was by sharing his family crest with her in some way.

Sterling Silver and Garnet Family Crest Ring

He provided me with some great information and some pictures of his traditional family crest. After quite a bit of design discussion, as this ring was to be feminine, we settled on using a portion of the drawing to create the feeling of the crest – I really loved this swirly winglike piece!

Sterling Silver and Garnet Family Crest Ring

 

Using a garnet to symbolise the red that appeared throughout the family crest (and which, of course, also symbolises love), I was very very happy with the end result. Thanks so much, Scott, it was a pleasure to work with you!